1850
oil
canvas
From the collection of Denver Art Museum
The Scalplock is a 1850 oil by Alfred Jacob Miller, held at Denver Art Museum.
This painting depicts a Native American man, dressed in traditional attire, standing on a rocky outcropping. He is adorned with a feathered headdress and holds a rifle over his shoulder, while a horse stands behind him. The man's gaze is directed to the left, and he grasps a scalplock in his right hand. The scene is set against a backdrop of mountains and a cloudy sky, with a body of water visible in the distance. The artist's use of color and composition creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure. The painting's attention to detail and sense of realism make it a compelling work. To learn more about the artist's techniques, explore the use of chiaroscuro.
Alfred Jacob Miller (January 2, 1810 – June 26, 1874) was an American artist best known for his paintings of trappers and Native Americans in the fur trade of the western United States.
See the richer artist page
